HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 16: Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers celebrates after winning the Taco Bell Skills Challenge part of 2013 NBA All-Star Weekend at the Toyota Center on February 16, 2013 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Damian Lillard, meanwhile, credited growing up in a rough neighborhood for his victory in the Skills Challenge.

"I've played basketball a long time and I grew up in a tough city," said Lillard, the Oakland High alum and current Trail Blazer.

"I've always been cool. I've always been comfortable with myself and confident with myself."

After Curry's first-round early exit, Cleveland's Kyrie Irving went on to win the three-point competition.

In the main event, Raptors rookie Terrence Ross won the slam dunk competition.

He slipped on a Vince Carter jersey and performed one of Carter's dunks spectacularly. And in a memorable championship round performance, Ross flew over a small child and the impressive slams of defending champion Jeremy Evans, receiving 58 percent of the fan vote.

In the three-point competition, Curry made just 2 of his first 11 shots in the Western Conference part of the first round. He hit 12 of the next 14, including nine straight for 17 points, but was eliminated by New Orleans' Ryan Anderson (18 points) and San Antonio's Matt Bonner (19).

"I was (disappointed) at first," Curry said. "You want to win. ... But when you look at it, 17 was a good number for me. Going first is kind of a tough spot, so you can't be mad at that."

Irving scored 18 in the Eastern Conference first half of the competition, edging New York's Steve Novak (17) and Indiana's Paul George (10). He caught fire in the championship round, beating Bonner 23-20. Irving made nine of his first 10 shots and 17 of first 18, coming up two points shy of the event's record for one round.

"I honestly thought Stephen Curry was going to be the surprise of this," Irving said. "So I'm just happy that I got this award."